The best-selling author is making her screenwriting debut with a series of movies loosely based on her world-famous franchise about the teenage wizard and his battle against the Dark Lord.

The first film, entitled 'Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them', is an original story based on the adventures of Newt Scamander.

Fans will recognise the fictional author's name from the 'Fantastic Beasts' textbook used by Harry and his fellow students at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

J.K. explained: ''Although it will be set in the worldwide community of witches and wizards where I was so happy for seventeen years, 'Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them' is neither a prequel nor a sequel to the Harry Potter series, but an extension of the wizarding world.

''The laws and customs of the hidden magical society will be familiar to anyone who has read the Harry Potter books or seen the films, but Newt's story will start in New York, seventy years before Harry's gets underway.''

Kevin Tsujihara, Chief Executive Officer of Warner Bros. Entertainment, commented: ''We are incredibly honored that Jo has chosen to partner with Warner Bros. on this exciting new exploration of the world of wizardry which has been tremendously successful across all of our businesses.

''She is an extraordinary writer, who ignited a reading revolution around the world, which then became an unprecedented film phenomenon. We know that audiences will be as excited as we are to see what her brilliant and boundless imagination conjures up for us.''